WWE's Greatest Survivor Series Pay-Per-Views

Article Key Points

Survivor Series has evolved over time, introducing new concepts like Brand Warfare, the Elimination Chamber, and War Games.

Randy Orton emerged victorious in a thrilling face-off against Shawn Michaels, showcasing a battle between two legendary opponents. Additionally, John Cena and The Rock joined forces to confront The Miz and R-Truth as a formidable team.

The tournament in 1998 witnessed The Rock's ascent as a prominent villain, while Mick Foley fell victim to Vince McMahon's treachery, resulting in a captivating and unforgettable storyline.

At the Survivor Series, the worlds of evolution and tag team wrestling collide. Originally launched in 1987, this thrilling wrestling event started off as a collection of tag team matches and later evolved into WWE's second annual pay-per-view extravaganza. It served as a unique platform for Vince McMahon to bring together rival wrestlers, allowing them to interact in a non-traditional manner.

Throughout the years, WWE has made adjustments to the format of the Survivor Series. On occasion, the event featured a captivating World Championship tournament, while other times, innovative concepts like the Elimination Chamber or War Games were introduced to the company's repertoire. Nevertheless, not all editions of the Survivor Series measure up to the captivating entertainment of others.

8. 2005 - Brand Warfare

Randy Orton Outlasts Shawn Michaels

Among the WWE's numerous Survivor Series showdowns that showcased the clash between the Raw and Smackdown factions, the encounter in 2005 stood out as one of the most captivating. This particular event gave rise to a classic confrontation between Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton, where both legendary wrestlers found themselves as the final contenders. Ultimately, it was the Viper who emerged triumphant, prevailing over the Heartbreak Kid and securing victory for the Smackdown brand.

The card also showcased the initial encounter in a seven-match series pitting Booker T against Chris Benoit, Ric Flair, and Triple H in an epic showdown. Additionally, it featured a captivating showdown between John Cena and Kurt Angle.

7. 1987 - The First Survivor Series

Bam Bam Bigelow's Big Night

The first Survivor Series introduced teams led by Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, who were still in the midst of their ongoing feud since WrestleMania III. Surprisingly, it was a relatively unknown member of Hogan's team, Bam Bam Bigelow, who stole the spotlight. Despite being the last member standing against King Kong Bundy, One Man Gang, and Andre the Giant, Bam Bam managed to eliminate Bundy and Gang before ultimately succumbing to Andre.

The remaining matches on the card included a noteworthy women's tag match, which was a rarity at the time as women's wrestling wasn't given much attention. The Jumping Bomb Angels put on a stellar performance and emerged victorious. The opening match also delivered an impressive display of skill, as Macho Man, Jake the Snake Roberts, and Ricky the Dragon Steamboat successfully survived the grueling battle.

6. 2001 - The End Of The Invasion

WWE Stands Tall Over The Alliance

Despite the majority of wrestling fans preferring to forget about the Invasion Angle, it did have one redeeming moment. Team WWE went head-to-head with Team Alliance, and the Rock emerged victorious after defeating Stone Cold Steve Austin, which ultimately led to Team WWE's triumph. Although Stone Cold's decision to join the Alliance may not have made much sense, his presence added a substantial amount of star power to the grand finale.

There were several notable matches earlier in the event, as the lower card championships from both companies were consolidated. Despite the conclusion of the Invasion storyline, the Alliance managed to prevail in five out of the eight matches featured on the card.

5. 2011 - Icons Team Together

John Cena & The Rock Take On The Miz & R-Truth

In 2011, WWE had its ups and downs, but the Survivor Series event stood out. Despite their differences, John Cena and the Rock teamed up to face The Miz and R-Truth, giving the heels a moment to shine before the iconic duo claimed victory.

Although fans wished for a longer "summer of Punk," Survivor Series brought CM Punk back to the pinnacle of success. The beloved wrestler defeated Alberto Del Rio to claim the WWE title, beginning a reign that lasted until the 2013 Royal Rumble.

4. 2003 - Austin vs. Bischoff

Raw's Co-GMs Captain Survivor Series Teams

The 2003 edition of the annual Thanksgiving pay-per-view showcased two traditional Survivor Series matches, each featuring five wrestlers on each team. The Raw brand was represented by Eric Bischoff and Stone Cold Steve Austin, who led their respective teams into an intense battle. The victorious team would grant their captain the exclusive executive position. Ultimately, it was Bischoff's team that emerged triumphant, with Randy Orton defeating Shawn Michaels. Interestingly, this outcome appears to be a recurring theme.

3. 2002 - Elimination Chamber

In Smackdown's classic match, the reign of Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar showcased their exceptional wrestling skills. As the showdown reached its conclusion, Team Angle, led by John Cena and Chris Benoit, paved the way for their impending quests for the World title in the following two years.

Shawn Michaels Championship Return

In an effort to add excitement to the Survivor Series after the Invasion Angle, WWE introduced the Elimination Chamber. This match featured six Raw superstars and aimed to combine elements from Survivor Series and War Games. Ultimately, Shawn Michaels emerged victorious, surpassing five other men to secure his fourth and final World title.

Meanwhile, on the Smackdown side, the triple-threat elimination tag title match shone as the ultimate highlight. Los Guerreros triumphed over Edge & Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle, and Chris Benoit, claiming the WWE tag team titles.

2. 2022 - War Games

Sami Zayn Makes His Choice

In 2022, a beloved WCW favorite finally made its long-awaited leap into the WWE main roster. This transition occurred during a monumental shift, as the traditional Survivor Series matches were replaced by the thrilling War Games concept. The event kicked off with an extraordinary showdown, presenting a women's War Games match, while the grand finale featured an intense Men's War Games bout that showcased an epic clash between the dominant Bloodline and the formidable Brawling Brutes.

The show was driven by the compelling narrative of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, their enduring friendship intertwined with fierce rivalry. Ultimately, Sami made a pivotal decision to remain faithful to the Bloodline, acknowledging the countless times Owens had betrayed him throughout their careers.

1. 1998 - Deadly Games

The Rise of the Rock

In 1998, WWE made the decision to forgo a conventional Survivor Series match, opting instead to organize a tournament in order to determine a new WWE Champion. The tournament appeared to be orchestrated in a way that favored Mick Foley, with Vince McMahon possibly manipulating the outcome. Meanwhile, The Rock was experiencing a remarkable ascent as a beloved hero, until an infamous event reminiscent of the Montreal Screwjob unfolded.

Surprisingly, it was revealed that Vince and The Rock had been collaborating in secret, while Foley had unknowingly played the role of a mere pawn. This shocking twist resulted in The Rock transforming into the most prominent villain in wrestling, while Foley emerged as the top hero of the company.

Editor's P/S

The Survivor Series has been a staple of the WWE calendar for over 30 years, and it has produced some of the most iconic moments in wrestling history. From the classic 1987 main event between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant to the more recent battles between John Cena and The Rock, the Survivor Series has always been a night for big matches and big moments.

One of the things that makes the Survivor Series so special is the unique format. The traditional 5-on-5 elimination matches are always exciting, and they often lead to some unexpected alliances and rivalries. In addition, the Survivor Series has been the舞台 for some of the most memorable moments in wrestling history, such as The Rock's betrayal of Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1998 and the debut of The Undertaker in 1990.

Overall, the Survivor Series is one of the most important and enjoyable events on the WWE calendar. It is a night for big matches, big moments, and big surprises. I always look forward to the Survivor Series, and I am sure that this year's event will be no exception.